How strong was Hitler’s How strong was Hitler’s position in 1933position in 1933

Study the photo and the facts about Hitler & the Nazis in 1933. How powerful was Hitler? What

would he need to do in order to survive?

Hindenburg Hindenburg & Von & Von Papen Papen appointed appointed Hitler as a Hitler as a ‘puppet’ ‘puppet’ chancellorchancellor

Only 2 Nazis Only 2 Nazis in Cabinetin Cabinet

Nazis largest Nazis largest single party, but single party, but

didn’t have didn’t have overall majority overall majority

in in ReichstagReichstag

Prodigy

Who was to Who was to blame for the blame for the

Reichstag fire?Reichstag fire?To assess what Hitler could To assess what Hitler could

gain from the Firegain from the Fire

To analyse the reliability of To analyse the reliability of accounts the Reichstag Fire accounts the Reichstag Fire

(27(27thth Feb 1933) Feb 1933)

Aims

Key words: Reichstag arsonist incendiary

Your task

Read about the events surrounding the Reichstag Fire of March 1933 in SHO, p.63. Make a note of the ways in which before & after the fire Hitler increased his grip on power

How far was Hitler responsible for increasing his grip on power – who else shares the blame?

Hitler increases his Hitler increases his powerpower

Hitler appointed Chancellor (Jan 1933)Hitler appointed Chancellor (Jan 1933) Calls new electionsCalls new elections Nazi-controlled police used to break up Nazi-controlled police used to break up

political meetings during the electionspolitical meetings during the elections Hermann Goering ordered Prussian Hermann Goering ordered Prussian

police to ‘cover’ for SA & police who police to ‘cover’ for SA & police who used firearms against Nazi opponentsused firearms against Nazi opponents

Hindenburg passed decree suspending Hindenburg passed decree suspending ConstitutionConstitution

How did Hitler exploit the How did Hitler exploit the Reichstag fire?Reichstag fire?

Dutch Communist, van der LubbeDutch Communist, van der Lubbe Police imprisoned 4,000 Communist Police imprisoned 4,000 Communist activists activists 28 Feb, Hindenburg suspended freedom of speech & 28 Feb, Hindenburg suspended freedom of speech &

gave police emergency powersgave police emergency powers March 1933 NSDAP gained 288 seats; won support of March 1933 NSDAP gained 288 seats; won support of

Nationalists & Catholic Centre party; abolished Nationalists & Catholic Centre party; abolished Communists Communists

Why might some historians suggest van der

Lubbe was framed?

Your taskYour task Read through the sources, decide which Read through the sources, decide which

theory they support and explain why:theory they support and explain why: 1. Van der Lubbe started the fire and was acting 1. Van der Lubbe started the fire and was acting

alonealone 2. Van der Lubbe was acting as part of a 2. Van der Lubbe was acting as part of a

Communist plotCommunist plot 3. Nazis started the fire themselves3. Nazis started the fire themselves

Give each source a reliability rating (out of 5) Give each source a reliability rating (out of 5) and explain why you have reached your and explain why you have reached your decisiondecision

Write a paragraph explaining who you think Write a paragraph explaining who you think was responsible for the fire. Use evidence to was responsible for the fire. Use evidence to support your opinion.support your opinion.

ReportReport

Write a police report on who was to Write a police report on who was to blame. Include the following:blame. Include the following:

Brief description of build up to FireBrief description of build up to Fire Key suspectsKey suspects Assessment of reliability of evidence Assessment of reliability of evidence

gatheredgathered Judgement on who was to blameJudgement on who was to blame

Success criteriaSuccess criteriaNeeds

improvingGetting better Wow factor

Includes a limited number of bullet points

Describes key events of the Fire

Refers to all bullet points

Analyses the sources but could do so in greater depth, e.g. NOP

Beginning to have the ‘look & feel’ of a police report

Explains all 4 bullet points: brief description of build up to Fire; key suspects; assessment of reliability of evidence gathered; judgement on who was to blame

Analyses the sources fully according to NOP

Looks and feels like a police report from the time

Who was to Who was to blame for the blame for the

Reichstag fire?Reichstag fire?To assess what Hitler could To assess what Hitler could

gain from the Firegain from the Fire

To analyse the reliability of To analyse the reliability of accounts the Reichstag Fire accounts the Reichstag Fire

(27(27thth Feb 1933) Feb 1933)

Aims

Key words: Reichstag arsonist incendiary